Seat cushion structure



Oct. 28, 1941. L. A. CHAMBERS 2,260,437

SEAT CUSHION STRUCTURE Filed June 2, 1939 INVENTOR LAURA A. CHAMBERS TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,260,437 SEAT CUSHION STRUCTURE Laura A. Chambers, St. Louis, Mo.

Application June 2, 1939, Serial No. 276,938

2 Claims.

The invention relates to cushions of the type for application to a bed pan, douche pan, slipper bed pan, toilet seat or a chair or similar supporting structure, and .more particularly to cushions adapted for use by invalids, although not limited to such use.

The main object of the invention is to provide for ready application and removal of the cushion from the supporting structure whereby it may be used interchangeably upon a bed pan, toilet seat or hard chair seat.

Another object of the invention is to securely attach a cushion of semi-circular or horseshoe like contour to a supporting structure, as described, whereby a complete ring is eliminated and accordingly the additional material required for a complete ring is unnecessary and the likelihood of soiling the forward part of the ring and cleaning the same is avoided.

These and other detail objects of the invention, as will be apparent from the following description, are attained by structure illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which-- Figure l is a bottom view of a cushion, embodying one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of Figure 1 and showing the cushion applied to a metal bed pan of familiar construction.

Figure 3 is a detail vertical section through a Figure 7 is a bottom view of a portion of the 1 cushion shown in Figure 8.

The body member I of the cushion shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 preferably comprises an inflatable rubber tube of horeshoe-like contour,

although it will be understood that the body member may be formed of cotton pads, hair, moss, sponge rubber or other cushioning material so far as the essential features of the present invention are concerned. The body member may be secured to the top flange 2 of a bed pan 3, or 7 other supporting structure, by means of rubber suction cups 4 which may be affixed to the body member in any desired manner. In Figures 1, 2 and .3 the affixing of the suction cups is by means of straps 5 cemented or vulcanized to a relatively large area of the bottom face of the cushion, the intermediate portion 6 of each strap being separated from the tube wall to accommodate a flat metal clip 1 extending over strap element 6 and through an opening in a boss 8 on the rear face of the rubber cup. i

With this construction the cushion is mounted entirely upon the top of the pan. The cups are spaced from the inner and outer peripheries of the cushion and as a result there are no hard knobs or projections positioned so as to contact with the flesh of the user. By straightening clips 1 the suction cups may be removed-if necessary, for better cleaning of the device orfor the replacement of an ineffective'cup. The body member is attached to the supporting structure without any ties or other attaching elements extending beneath the bottom of the structure, which would be impractical when the cushion was used on a toilet seat and some chairs, nor are there any elements extending around the front wall of the pan, or other supporting structure, requiring adjustment for different sizes of pans, etc., or requiring the stretching of the cushion parts to attach the same to the supporting structure.

Figure 4 illustrates another form of the invention in which the inflatable tube [0 is held in position by straps I l secured to the under face of the tube and extending beyond the outer periphery thereof for connection with suction cups l2 which may be applied to the upright sides l3 of the pan or to any other portion of the supporting structure spaced from the cushion.

With this arrangement the possibility of a knob orother hard projection affecting the muscles or bones of the user, particularly if the cushion is only partially inflated or if the user is very heavy, will be completely avoided. If desired straps Il may be made adjustable to accommodate application of the suction cups to points on the supporting structure at varying distances from the cushion.

Figure 6 illustrates a form of the invention in which suction cup I5 is vulcanized directly to the lower surface of the inflatable tube 16 and this arrangement may be generally satisfactory but it does not provide for as ready removal and replacement of the suction cup.

Figure 5 illustrates another form of the invention in which the suction cup 20 has an attaching screw 2| embodied in its shank. A washer 22 overlies the inner face of tube 23 and has a threaded part into which screw 2| may be inserted. A shield 24 overlaps washer 22 to more securely hold the latter in place and to prevent leakage.

7 Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a form of the invention in which the suction cup 25 has a shank 26 terminating in a disk 21. Crossed straps 28 have their end portions of substantial area cemented or vulcanized to tube 29 and their intermediate portions slit as indicated at 3!). Disk 21 may be inserted into slits 30 as an ordinary button is inserted into a button hole. v

This arrangement provides forready assembly and disassembly of the suction cup and cush-- ion and distributes over a large area any stress attending the removal of the cushion from the supporting structure by pull on the cushion instead of by attempting to pry up an edge of the suction cup to admit air beneath the same and break the vacuum.

Each form of the invention attains the general object set forth in the introductory portion of they specification. One pattern of cushion may 3 be used on various sizes and shapes of supporting structure including small size bed pans, as used for children, or large size chair seats as found, for example, in, wheel chairs andthe suction cups will adhere to curved surfaces on the supporting structure as well as to fiat surfaces. vThe'cushionis readily removed without touching portions of the pan or seat which have been soiled and the cushion may be cleansedeither; on or on thesupporting structure as it 1 is substantially free of crevices which might collect dirt and interfere with thorough cleansing.

The description and drawing are to be under- 1 stood. as illustrative only as those skilled in the straps with their ends secured to the body member and with their overlapping intermediate portions provided with slits extending in transverse directions, there being a button-like element on the back of the suction cup insertable through said slits.

2. A cushion for attachment to a bed pan, toilet seat, chair or like supporting structure comprising a body member, a suction cup, and means detachably connecting said cup to said body member for holding it in a predetermined position thereon between the edges of the member with the suction face of the cup arranged for adhesion to a surface of the supporting structure, the attaching means comprising a pair of crossed straps with their ends secured to the body member, there being overlying openings in the overlapping portions of the crossed straps, and a headed element on the back of the suction cup insertible through said openings and engaging said straps.

LAURA A. CHAMBERS. 

